Dress Up Hoodie by Mouse House Creations

Just a little bit of trivia about me, I actually don't care for making Halloween costumes. There, I've said it!  This year is a little different thanks to Mouse House Creations and the Dress Up Hoodie (affiliate link). 

I love this idea of making something and it being used a lot more than just one evening! These hoodies are so cute and comfy that I know my girls will want to wear them at least once a week, every week until they're worn out!

And look at all these options, all in one pattern!

• Dino
• Unicorn
• Horse
• Rabbit (that's the one JubeJube has on)
• Shark
• Cat (Amelia begged me to be a black cat, AND DONE!)
• Deer
• Bat
• Butterfly
• Owl
• Even a plain everyday hoodie for those who don't play dress up.

And with a little bit of imagination I bet you can get a ton of animals and other creatures put together with the help of this pattern.

Sizes in this pattern rage from 6 months to 12 years. And not to worry, the layering feature is included with this pattern to print only the sizes you need to save on ink, but also a print chart so you can print only the special options you need in creating your creature.

And this is my bunny with an atitude!

The basic hoodie is a raglan style sleeve with a lined hood and front pocket. Seam allowances included in the pattern are 3/8". I did most of my assembling with my serger so its a very quick sew.

Go take a look at more inpsiration in the facebook group Mouse House Creation: Group 'O fun.

Until next time, xx. 

Canada Cups Part 2 with Chelsea Celeste Designs

This project with Chelsea Celeste Designes became a little of an adventure... The end result was great but how I got there was a lot of work and adjusting! 

First thing that needs to be realized is that Chelsea Celeste Designs are drafted mainly for pregnant women, but it doesn't mean every woman can't use these patterns to make themselves bralettes, dresses, or even just a bodice.

I made myself the Sweetheart Bodice.

First thing is measurements... ok, so I took my measurements, and I know I want to be comfortable, and not too tight, but also need to take the elasticity of my fabric into account. Took a look at the chart and was between a medium and a large. If this is the case for you SIZE DOWN! I didn't, I made myself a large, and ended up having to pull it all apart and unsew my serged seams. The end result, I mashed a small and medium together to create perfect fit.

Ok, I know some of you may be rolling your eyes wondering why oh why did I waste time pulling apart seams that had been serged when it would have been faster to just make another. First I hate wasting, if I can avoid it I will never trash an unfinished project. But also this fabric comes from Club Tissus and I had it shipped to me (even though I'm a hop, skip and a jump away from the store) for the purpose of the tour and to be able to talk about their new online service!

The fabric is Art Gallery's Bountiful by Sharon Holland. Club Tissus has quite the selection of Art Gallery knits, wovens and cotton voile, along with many other high quality designers. I also got my bra making supplies from Club Tissus, rings, slider, elastic straps... OH Gosh! what a selection! So once I filled up my cart, entered the shipping info, I thought I'd have at least a week to wait before I'd receive my order. Thank goodness I didn't place a bet on that because I would have lost... I kid you not, 48 hours later I had my order in my hands! And everything was exactly as I had ordered, no mistakes! AND FYI if you want to get free shipping from Club Tissus, use the code "LIVRAISON100" at checkout with every purchase of $100.00 or more and make sure you select free shipping as the shipping method to activate the code!

So, back to the pattern... What I liked about this pattern in the shape of the sweetheart neckline, that is one thing that stayed intact. I also really appreciated the princess seams at the front, this pattern is not just a flat piece of fabric for the front bodice.

I added the sliders to be able to adjust the length of the straps,  and added some lace trim that I had on had. That part was not in the tutorial.

And What's a bralettle without undies to match! Remember how last year (click here for fash back) I took Beverly Johnson's Craftsy Class... Sewing Panties: Construction & Fit  (affilate link)... well that class has been put to good use and I've been having so much fun drafting my own!

You have at least two other posts to go check out today... Filles à Maman and Mrs. Weaver's Finest!

Here is the list of prizes, so be sure to come back on the last day of the tour to enter the giveaway! Take advantage of some of the coupon codes that are already activated, just for you 😉

Tour Discounts

• Funky Monkey Fabrics is offering a 10% discount for the duration of the tour. Use code: CC10 for 10% off store wide until October 22nd. Not valid on already discounted full bolts.
• 20% discount storewide at Fabric Please. Use code CANADACUPS.
• 10% discount from Central Sewing Machines. Orders must be mailed to Muriel @ centralsewing.com to have the discount applied manually.
• 10% discount from Midnight Mountain Fabrics. Use code CANADACUPS10

You'll find the giveaway on Michelle's Creations when she wraps up the party on Saturday. Meanwhile, check out these prizes:

• A bra kit from Atelier Fiber Arts and Abrakdabra
• A bralette kit or scuba print from Bra-Makers Supply
• A pattern from Chelsea C Designs
• A Sophie swimsuit pattern from Closet Case Patterns
• 1 yard of in-stock fabric from Crookshanks Custom Textiles (winner splits shipping costs)
• A $25 Store voucher from Fabric Please
• A pattern from Favorite Things
• A bralette kit from Braphoria
• A pattern from Ohhh Lulu Sews
• A $30 coupon code to Midnight Mountain Fabrics good for pre-order and retail items

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Tour Schedule

Hang with us as we reveal our inner secrets. ;)

// Please note that none of these post links are available before the scheduled date. If you click on one too early, you will get an Error 404: Page not found. You know about those, right? // ♥ Sunday, October 15

• Tour Take-off on Seam of my Pants
• That's Sew Venice

♥ Monday, October 16

• Glitter in my Coffee
• Seam of my Pants
• That's Sew Venice

♥ Tuesday, October 17

• Sprouting JubeJube
• Little Heart Threads

♥ Wednesday, October 18

• Michelle's Creations
• Special Guest: Club Tissus (en français) ; Club Tissus (in English)

♥ Thursday, October 19

• Sprouting JubeJube
• Mrs. Weaver's Finest
• Filles à Maman

♥ Friday, October 20

• Gracious Threads
• Élégantine! (en français) ; Élégantine! (in English)

♥ Saturday, October 21

• Tour Wrap Party and Giveaway on Michelle's Creations

♥♥ Monday, October 23

• Giveaway winners announced on all the blogs:

Little Heart Threads, Glitter in my Coffee, Michelle's Creations, Mrs. Weaver's Finest Unmentionables, Gracious Threads, Élégantine!, That's Sew Venice, Sprouting Jubejube, Flying by the Seam of my Pants, Filles à Maman ♥

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Canada Cup Part 1 Favorite Things Cami & Shorts

Today I get to talk about Favorite Things! To be quite honest this is the first time I've ever heard of Favorite Things Patterns and so glad I got to know them a little more through this blog tour. 

Some time ago I was sent the Nighty Night and the Little Nighty Night in paper format, so you guessed it, I made Amelie and JubeJube some Nighties for the tour. 

I started with the Little ones because I knew what fabric I wanted to use... Michael Miller's Tradewinds collection, it was sent to me by Candice at Sewing Portfolio ...(just some of the perks of being a Sewing Portfolio Ambassador!) Sewing Portfolio is a FREE membership site where you can build your portfolio and connect with brands and businesses. Learn more about it here (click!).

The pattern is designed for woven fabrics and the measurements given in the chart are spot on for the right fit and amount of ease for this style. As mentioned before, these are paper patterns, not PDF's so the first step was to cut out all the pieces. I'm going to share a little secret with you today about paper patterns, I actually love them! First, they're so easy to store and don't take up much space, they generally have a huge range of sizes and here's a little trick I learned a long time ago, I use my iron to get all the creased out of the paper which I wouldn't recommend doing  with printed paper and tape (don't ask, you don't want to know how I ruined that poor iron).

The instructions are quick to the point with lined drawings to help with the explanation. I added a lace trim to make girly it up at the top of the bodice and at the hem.

Amelia wanted Hawaii, she said she wanted to feel like she was on vacation so JubeJube agreed that she wanted the pineapples.

Those pineapples!! I love the pairing of these two fabrics, Marissa and Pineapple Express.

I did mention that this pattern was designed with woven fabrics in mind. But I just had to try it in a knit. 

This is what I did to get this fit... First, I needed to size down, quite a bit. I didn't use a straight size 12, I had to use a biggers size for the top of the FRONT bodice to get full coverage and not have the seam across the bustline, but under the bust line. Assebling the top was quick with the serger and instead of inserting an elastic at the waistline like I did for the littles, I simply used clear elastic in the seam to prevent from stretching out. 

The camisole is a bit on the long side (for me) I took 2 inches off. I also had to really size down on the boxers. But again, designed for a woven, not a knit so that would be normal to size down.

Will I be making these again, you can bet on it... I do like the way both the Little Nighty Night and Nighty Night patterns turned out!

Do I'll be here again on Thursday, maybe not modeled photos of my make... I bet you can wait to see! In the mean time, you really need to go check out the rest of the stops on this Canadian tour!

 
Here is the list of prizes, so be sure to come back on the last day of the tour to enter the giveaway! Take advantage of some of the coupon codes that are already activated, just for you 😉

Tour Discounts

• Funky Monkey Fabrics is offering a 10% discount for the duration of the tour. Use code: CC10 for 10% off store wide until October 22nd. Not valid on already discounted full bolts.
• 20% discount storewide at Fabric Please. Use code CANADACUPS.
• 10% discount from Central Sewing Machines. Orders must be mailed to Muriel @ centralsewing.com to have the discount applied manually.
• 10% discount from Midnight Mountain Fabrics. Use code CANADACUPS10

You'll find the giveaway on Michelle's Creations when she wraps up the party on Saturday. Meanwhile, check out these prizes:

• A bra kit from Atelier Fiber Arts and Abrakdabra
• A bralette kit or scuba print from Bra-Makers Supply
• A pattern from Chelsea C Designs
• A Sophie swimsuit pattern from Closet Case Patterns
• 1 yard of in-stock fabric from Crookshanks Custom Textiles (winner splits shipping costs)
• A $25 Store voucher from Fabric Please
• A pattern from Favorite Things
• A bralette kit from Braphoria
• A pattern from Ohhh Lulu Sews
• A $30 coupon code to Midnight Mountain Fabrics good for pre-order and retail items

---

Tour Schedule

Hang with us as we reveal our inner secrets. ;)

// Please note that none of these post links are available before the scheduled date. If you click on one too early, you will get an Error 404: Page not found. You know about those, right? // ♥ Sunday, October 15

• Tour Take-off on Seam of my Pants
• That's Sew Venice

♥ Monday, October 16

• Glitter in my Coffee
• Seam of my Pants
• That's Sew Venice

♥ Tuesday, October 17

• Sprouting JubeJube
• Little Heart Threads

♥ Wednesday, October 18

• Michelle's Creations
• Special Guest: Club Tissus (en français) ; Club Tissus (in English)

♥ Thursday, October 19

• Sprouting JubeJube
• Mrs. Weaver's Finest
• Filles à Maman

♥ Friday, October 20

• Gracious Threads
• Élégantine! (en français) ; Élégantine! (in English)

♥ Saturday, October 21

• Tour Wrap Party and Giveaway on Michelle's Creations

♥♥ Monday, October 23

• Giveaway winners announced on all the blogs:

Little Heart Threads, Glitter in my Coffee, Michelle's Creations, Mrs. Weaver's Finest Unmentionables, Gracious Threads, Élégantine!, That's Sew Venice, Sprouting Jubejube, Flying by the Seam of my Pants, Filles à Maman ♥

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Cozy up to Fall with EYMM

This blog tour has got me doing something I have NEVER done before... AND I will for sure be doing it again, maybe even on a more regular basis. 

You all know how much I love my Four Seasons Cardigan from EYMM (affiliate link), I've made it a few times but this time I wanted to try something new. I actually made myself a pair of leggings with the Piko top. Yes, I've made leggings for the girls before, but never have I made myself a pair of leggings. I was a little worried about fit and how I would like the contour waistband. All worries have now been set aside and I now two more fall wardrobe pieces. 

To start off, the leggings were a piece of cake. All the measurements given in the chart were spot on. I sometimes feel that making something for myself is a bit of a guessing game and I often size down. Not this time. the thigh and calf measurement included in the chart really help to create a garment that fits perfectly.

The front of the waistband hit at just the right place for maximum comfort and the back rise is high enough that I feel comfortable bending down and not constantly having to pull the waist back up.

For the Piko top I kept on going back and forth about sleeve length, about what hem line I wanted to use, stripes, solids, or floral...and finally decided on stripes for the front and back, solid sleeves and the hi-low hem. I changed the neckline just a bit by doing a wrapped binding method instead of just folding it over as shown in the tutorial.

I'm so glad I went with the contrast sleeve, I feel it gives it a little of a layered look and with the matching cami, it just adds another layer to the whole look.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway and make sure you take a look at the other stops on the tour, so many more looks to help you get inspired!

Make sure to stop by all the amazing stops on the Cozy Up to Fall Tour!! (Keep in mind that the links below won't work until their scheduled date, but feel free to click through and check out their other blog posts anytime.)

Oct. 3 - Tour Kick-off at EYMM

Oct. 4 - Capture, Craft, and Cook and Boutique Birdie

Oct. 5 - Sprouting JubeJube and EYMM

Oct. 6 - Pretty and Precious and House of Estrela

Oct. 7 - Analog Bytes and Connected By A Thread

Oct. 8 - Adventures With Bubba and Bug and With Love in Every Stitch and Beri Bee Designs

Oct. 9 - Five Blessings and Lulu & Celeste and Creative Counselor

Oct. 10- Tour Roundup on EYMM

During the tour, all featured patterns are on sale (save even more by buying the youth/adult bundles!) ... the Four Seasons Cardigan (both women's and girl's), the Piko Top (both women's and girl's), and the Leggings Bundle ('Get Moving' Leggings for women and Jocelyn's Leggings for girls). Use coupon code FALL17 to save 30% off these 6 patterns and/or 3 bundles in the EYMM shop, but only until 11:59pm on October 11, 2017.


Giveaway time! Win a $20.00 gift card from EYMM to get started on your own fall wardrobe!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

SisBoom Sophie and Wild Animals

The original idea with SisBoom Sophie was for JubeJube, in another fabric that I had selected. I asked her opinion on the fabric and she flat out said NO, I don't like it and she chose Monaluna's Night Garden that I purchased from Phat Quarters fabric shop. I wasn't ready to use that fabric just yet (Ha!) but she insisted. So I went with it.

I finished sewing up the blouse, had JubeJube try it on and said she didn't like the sleeve. And here comes Amelia ouhhhing and awwwwwing over the whole look. She slipped it on and was so eager to go take photos with her favorite friends! Just goes to show you that plans can change!

I made a contrasting facing on the outside for a fun look. That fabric for the facing comes from my stash.

The sleeves are 3/4 length, I used the measurements on the long sleeve pattern piece to find the right length for my model.

Now here's your chance to do a good deed and in return get some fun sewing patterns to sew up some fantastic fitting garments.  Go visit the SisBoom website and pick out some patterns, go to checkout and use the code "Maria", 50% of the profits form your purchase will go to help victims of Hurricane Maria AND you'll also get 20% off your purchase! If you want more info on this project got to the SisBoom facebook page.

Until next time, xx.